Lindy Hop Report

16 July, 2009

Yesterday I discovered that my husband is evil.

Remember way back when people said they’d donate money to the New York Public Library if I learned to lindy hop? I said that I would have my dancing verified by three YA authors approved by John Green who was the first person to offer money to charity if I learned to dance. Well, that’s not necessary any more.

Because Scott secretly shot video of some of our lessons. Utter, utter, utter bastard! He was going to make a video and put it up on youtube! Behind my back!

Fortunately, I caught him looking at some of the footage. But since he was nice enough to not shoot our faces, and we’re running out of time to gather up YA witnesses, I decided that we would make the vid together.

But just so you know, Scott, YOU ARE EVIL. ALL TRUST IS GONE.

Some disclaimers for people who know from lindy hop. We knows we has a long way to go. We’re working on bending knees, sticking out arses, holding frame, chasseing, pulsing and etc. The most recent footage included is from three weeks ago. We’re already way better than the vid demonstrates. Honest.

Many many people have been asking how I like learning lindy hop given how much I really really really really didn’t want to do it.

I love lindy hop.

[A minutes pause while you all tell me you told me so.]

It’s the most fun I’ve had in ages. I’m loving learning something that requires my full attention. When I’m dancing I’m not thinking about my novel or bills that have to be paid or anything except where my feet and bum and arms should be. While I’m learning to dance I’m not even slightly stressed. Scott feels the same way. We will be continuing our lessons. We both want to get good at it.

One of my objections did turn out to be true: I have to ice my left foot after every lesson. Lindy hopping is not kind to plantar fasciitis.

We got around my other fear—of making a fool of myself in front of total strangers—by taking private lessons. I honestly don’t think I would have made it otherwise. Also private lessons means learning faster and having all your mistakes picked up and corrected quicker. We have had two awesome teachers: Jessi and Stephanie. Thank you!

We have even gone out and danced in public. (Once.) Last Sunday under the stars on Pier 54. It was magical. Yes, we are addicted.

Here’s proof that I’ve been learning to lindy hop:

If you pledged money now’s the time to pay. You can donate to the NYPL here. Even if you didn’t make a pledge you can still donate to the NYPL or your local library wherever you may be. Libraries all over the world need our help.

I’m impressed! You guys are doing really well in just those three weeks of video! I really encourage you to go out social dancing- it is incredible fun, you meet some awesome people, and it’s a great way to practice your new movies.

If I may offer one tip that might help so that you don’t have to ice your foot after lessons? Try keeping your weight more on the ball of your foot instead of using your whole foot for the step.

Candace: Ha! You sound exactly like my dance teacher. Am working hard to keep on balls of feet. Is one of many things on the list of things that are a work in progress. Though the plantar facia runs the length of the foot so it does still flair up even when I’m only on the balls of my feet.

This is awesome! Although I can kinda see your face- but only if I squint real hard. I guess you’ll only have to worry about hard-squinting stalkers if this footage get out, huh?

Anyway, enough of the creepy post. I just wanted to say that the lindy-hop pledge is such a good thing to do! It’s charitable, plus you get to learn an awesome dance!
one more thing…
When’s HTDYF coming out in the UK, Justine?
I’m waiting for BOTH HTDYF a n d So Yesterday.
Curse you, American/Australian Publishers!

Wow, that’s awesome. This reminds me of when my husband and I took dancing lessons for our wedding. Only thing was that we were supposed to do the Waltz on our big day and chickened out. I think we both wish we’d done it now. Looks like a lot of fun!

Bravo for letting this footage out (many people I know hate seeing videos of themselves dance). Have you figured out how long til you reach swing outs?

1) Regarding joints/limbs: what kind of shoes are you wearing? Good dance shoes make a world of difference, and a padded insole will help a lot too if that’s not enough support.

2) If it turns out that lindy is too physically demanding, you might want to check out west coast and/or blues. There’s a lot of overlap in crowds and in technique. I used to be an avid lindy hopper but eventually discovered that I love blues much more, as do my knees 🙂